TheChat: What type of state is Kansas?

▪ “Within a few months we’ll know whether Kansas will remain its deep-red self of the past six years or will return, perhaps, to `two-party competition in a one-party state.’” — KU political scientist Burdett Loomis writing about what the November election will tell us about Kansas.

Loomis’ point is that Kansas remains a deeply Republican state, but may return to one where Democrats are at least a competitive force.

▪ “Right now, we’re facing the biggest threat to women’s reproductive and health rights since Roe v. Wade.” — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, in an email blast to supporters about a big abortion case the U.S. Supreme Court is about to decide.

The case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, comes out of Texas. Wrote McCaskill: “The bottom line – the guiding principle here – should be that women have a right to choose what’s best for themselves and their bodies. That’s it.”

▪ “I think and I hope that Trump’s going to be annihilated.” — John Shaughnessy of Webster County speaking at the Missouri Democratic Party’s state convention last weekend.

Shaughnessy isn’t convinced that Hillary Clinton can carry Missouri, though. Much, he said, depends on whether Trump moderates some of his positions.

▪ “Neither our girls or boys should be forced to undress in the presence of individuals who are of the opposite biological sex.” — Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp, a Republican, in a letter to school superintendents in which he urged them to ignore transgender bathroom guidelines put forth by the Obama administration.

One superintendent said he found it troubling that a congressman would urge school leaders to openly violate a federal law.